Things to do in Brussels
With its long history and rich diversity, there is always plenty of things to see and do for visitors to Brussels.
The most famous square in Brussels is the beautiful Grand Place, which contains some of the most exquisite buildings in Belgium. The main attraction is the gothic town hall, which dominates the square. However, the buildings around it are also attractive, as they represent the various gilds of the city and were built when Brussels was at the heart of European commerce, meaning there was plenty of money to put into these structures! Simply wandering round this square, past the cafes and restaurants which line it, is an enjoyable experience. Roughly every two years, the Grand Place is taken over for a weekend in August by a huge flower 'carpet'. This wonderful decoration of begonias fills the square, creating beautiful patterns on the floor of the Grand Place.
Also close by in this compact and busy old town quarter is the famous Mannequin Pis, the small fountain which has become a symbol of Brussels. It would be easy to miss this altogether if it were not for the large numbers of tourists who congregate around the small crossroads where this unassuming fountain is situated, all eager to get a snap of the famed boy. Over the course of the year, different groups in the city take it in turns to dress up the Mannequin Pis in costumes related to their organisation, so it is in fact relatively rare that you can see this famous fountain as he appears on most postcards ? although the various costumes seem only to add to the icon's appeal.
On the hill overlooking the old town is Brussels Cathedral. A relatively low-key building from the outside, it has a beautiful interior and is fit for the many members of royalty who have been married here. Belgium is still ruled by the monarchy and as such many important events often take place at this cathedral, with royals and heads of state from around the world arriving here for the celebrations.
Speaking of royalty, a short journey away from the old town will bring you to the impressive Royal Square, with large buildings on each side which were built by noble families during the 19th century. It is now one of the largest and boldest squares in Brussels and includes a statue of Godfry of Bouillon, leader of the first crusade in 1096, at its heart.
In the European quarter, there are plenty of things to see and do, particularly when the European institutions are in session, as many of the buildings are open to the public, giving visitors the chance to get right up close to the home of EU governance.
For those who would like to see the whole of Europe, Brussels offers this opportunity. At the Bruparck amusement park in the Heysel district of the city is the Mini-Europe exhibition, which features small versions of all the main sights of Europe, from London's Big Ben to Italy's Mount Vesuvius. Also nearby is the huge Atomium, which is a unique exhibition centre, built in the shape of a giant steel atom. The Atomium has been closed in recent times for extensive refurbishment but reopened in February 2006, almost 50 years after it was built for the Universal Exhibition. Among new attractions at the revamped structure are new exhibitions, film screenings and a restaurant.
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Things to do
